Lemokey L5 HE 8K Review

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home February 17, 2025 5 Views 16 Min Read
Lemokey L5 HE 8K Review
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Gamers are no longer limited to mechanical and membrane keyboards when upgrading a setup. As seen with pro controllers, Hall effect keyboards are becoming the most desirable choice. Their fluid and durable magnetic switches measure keypresses with surgical precision. Currently part of a Kickstarter campaign, the wired Lemokey L5 HE 8K aims to be the most innovative Hall effect keyboard to date.

Logitech G PRO X TKL RAPID black angled backlight-1

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Lemokey is the gaming-focused division of Keychron keyboards, so the 75% L5 HE’s appearance is familiar. Hall effect rivals from Wooting, NuPhy, and SteelSeries share many of its features. Even so, Lemokey is hoping that a maximum 8,000Hz polling rate, highly adjustable actuation, and top or gasket mounting options will win over doubters. I was lucky to receive a review sample of L5 HE months before it’s expected to ship to Kickstarter backers.

Design

The Lemokey L5 HE 8K Hall effect keyboard will ship to buyers in three different styles. I tested the Dark Master variety, which is the most appropriate for workstations. Lemokey also made a white version of the keyboard called the Dawn Master and the flashier Cyber with some transparent keycaps.

Lemokey L5 HE Designs

When setting up the keyboard, its over four-pound weight makes an immediate impression. Lemokey built the L5 HE with aluminum throughout its construction, which explains the heftiness. I’ve mashed on many premium alternatives, but the L5 HE sets a new standard as a rock-solid typing base. Unfortunately, the keyboard is not very portable despite a detachable braided USB cord. Even so, Lemokey plans to offer a carrying case and wrist rest as accessories.

As a 75% keyboard, the L5 HE 8K dispenses with a number pad but retains arrow keys, navigation keys, and a full function row. A volume knob in its upper right is easy to grasp, but there are no dedicated media keys beside it. The sturdy Cherry Doubleshot PBT keycaps have a smooth texture, so sweaty fingers may have a tendency to slip.

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Design #4

The back edge of the L5 HE houses a USB-C port next to a slider switch for selecting polling rates up to 8,000Hz. Because the connector is angled, the section of the cord closest to the keyboard won’t lie flat against surfaces.

While Lemokey’s keyboard doesn’t have adjustable feet on its bottom, it’s already slanted at an ergonomic typing angle. The keyboard’s shape also promotes fast inputs since there is less distance for hands to travel.

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Design #6

Buyers hoping for a bright and spectacular RGB keyboard might be disappointed with the Dark Master L5 HE. Without illuminated legends, the north-facing lighting between keys isn’t particularly noticeable. Ironically, the most impactful effects are less visible to typers. An LED strip runs along the back of the keyboard and its corners, extending to its bottom surface. The Cyber version is more distinctive, with some clear keys, and you can always swap keycaps with many compatible alternatives.

Software and Setup

Setting up the L5 HE is as simple as plugging the provided USB-C cable into the back of the device. After loading Lemokey’s web-based software, Mac users can choose an alternate layout. While the cord has a USB-C plug at both ends, Lemokey bundles a Type A to Type C adapter with the keyboard.

LemokeyL5HE8KSoftware1

Unlike Corsair or Razer gaming keyboards, the L5 HE doesn’t support software that runs in the background. The keyboard uses the web-based Lemokey Launcher, which unlocks endless customization. Unfortunately, an internet connection is necessary to use the launcher. Also, the keyboard connected immediately in my Chrome browser but wasn’t recognized in Firefox.

Since my L5 HE was an earlier sample, I underwent several firmware updates. The sequence involved hitting a small button hidden underneath the spacebar. Hopefully, the number of updates will be less frequent after the keyboard hits the market.

LemokeyL5HE8KSoftware2

Many parts of the Lemokey Launcher are self-explanatory, and switching tabs is snappier than most installed apps. You can set a universal actuation distance, but things get more complicated when assigning up to four actions per key. I didn’t find this interface very intuitive, but eventually, I became comfortable with the process. Some adjustments work better for gaming or work, so setting up three distinct profiles is encouraged.

LemokeyL5HE8KSoftware3

Lemokey’s app is more limited when customizing RGB effects. While some snazzy effects exist among the 21 options, custom patterns are limited to single colors.

The L5 HE is also QMK/VIA compatible, enabling even more cross-platform control over the keyboard’s settings.

Performance

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Design #7

It’s difficult to describe how typing on a Hall effect keyboard feels without experiencing one firsthand. Typing is smooth and precise, but not in the same way as traditional linear mechanical switches. Even though Hall effect switches are considered low-noise, I wouldn’t call the L5 HE exceptionally quiet. Even so, there is no high-pitched pinging typical of clicky keyboards. The sound produced is more of a thump or clack, almost like tapping on a wood block. Lemokey added layers of sound-absorbing foam to reduce noise levels further.

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During some typing tests, I found that the L5 HE’s magnetic switches were less fatiguing than clicky switches and produced fewer errors than sensitive linear keyboards. If you struggle to find the right balance between speed and accuracy, a Hall effect keyboard may be the answer.

The L5 HE is not the only keyboard that offers customizable actuation points or multiple commands per key. When it debuted in 2021, I tried out the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog but found it difficult to execute actuation-based inputs. The L5 HE is the first keyboard I’ve used with keypresses precise enough for consistent results. That sentiment is shared by typers on other Hall effect keyboards like the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3.

L5 HE Acutation Points

The Lemokey Ultra-Fast Lime switches included with the L5 HE use magnetic sensors to detect actuation levels. Because the switches have limited resistance, it’s easier to control the distance of keypresses. The pinpoint precision of the L5 HE opens up other possibilities that can take hours to explore. Features like Rapid Trigger emerge, where a keyboard can recognize an input early in a keypress before resetting. The L5 HE becomes an asset in esports titles like Counter-Strike 2 as opponents struggle to match its rapid-fire attacks.

Most recent high-end gaming keyboards have other capabilities designed to give both novices and pros a competitive advantage. For example, when players input conflicting commands, Razer’s Snap Tap only registers the last key pressed. If gamers press the A and D keys simultaneously, the directional inputs won’t cancel each other out. Lemokey incorporates this feature as a Snap Action-Last Key Priority option in its launcher. Even if some titles are banning this clever trick, it makes frantic FPS action a bit less frustrating.

Gamers can also benefit from the L5 HE’s maximum 8,000 Hz polling rate. Although it can be difficult to notice the difference, it ensures that the keyboard will keep pace with snappy inputs. Unlike with a wireless gaming keyboard, players don’t have to worry about a high polling rate draining a battery.

Customization

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Modding

Because of its versatile switches and software, the Lemokey L5 HE is already one of the most customizable keyboards. Still, Lemokey provides plenty of ways to physically modify the device. Owners who think typing is too loose or firm can choose between top and gasket-mounted configurations.

Top-mounted keyboards reduce the distance between internal plates and the tops of cases. This leads to stiffer typing action with minimal key rattle. Meanwhile, gasket mounting provides more separation and a cushioned response to keypresses. Top-mounting complements rapid-fire gaming, but gasket mounts suit longer and quieter typing sessions.

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Modding #2

In the L5 HE box, Lemokey supplies all the parts needed to tweak the keyboard to your liking. Among the components are a screwdriver, hex key, keycap/switch puller, gasket silicone beans, gasket silicone strips, silicone washers, and screws. Without a manual and only a short video clip, Lemokey doesn’t do a great job of explaining the modding process. Keyboard enthusiasts should be able to dissemble the L5 HE in minutes. Novices can watch some YouTube videos first to alleviate any anxiety.

Lemokey advertises the L5 HE as a hot-swappable keyboard, but it’s only compatible with select magnetic switch kits. Buyers will find more options with enthusiast keyboards that use more common mechanical switches.

Is the L5 HE the Best Hall Effect Keyboard Yet?

Lemokey L5 HE 8K Conclusion

The Lemokey L5 HE 8K is not as risky as many Kickstarter products. It’s backed by an established manufacturer and refines Hall effect keyboard technology rather than reinvents it. Still, the L5 HE could win over many skeptics who are loyal to conventional mechanical keyboards.

Adjustable actuation keyboards are not new, but the L5 HE’s magnetic switches facilitate precise inputs. In the simplest scenario, gamers can set the same key to walk and run depending on the pressure applied. After becoming more comfortable, executing four commands with one keypress is realistic. Other settings like Snap Click and Last Key Priority turn inexperienced gamers into fearsome competitors.

Some buyers may decide that the metal-dominated L5 HE justifies its $199 price based on build quality alone. Nevertheless, it’s pricey for a wired 75% keyboard when owners have to sacrifice perks like multiple media keys. The nuphy Field75 HE is a cheaper option with a generous number of dedicated remappable keys. Other qualities expected in a premium gaming keyboard, like customizable per-key RGB lighting, are lacking in the L5 HE.

In the end, the L5 HE’s smooth and precise typing action overshadows any disappointments. Though it’s puzzling why Keychron and Lemokey decided to launch it through a Kickstarter campaign, even so, the L5 HE has quickly met its goals, with backers anxious to experience the advantages of magnetic switches.

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FAQ

Q: Do Hall Effect switches work on any keyboard?

In general, buyers will need a keyboard designed for magnetic switches. These devices use PCB boards that maximize the benefits of Hall effect technology. However, some hot-swappable Hall effect keyboards will accept alternative magnetic switches.

Q: What is the difference between a 75% and 80% keyboard?

75% and 80% keyboards are similar, but 80% keyboards have slightly more spread-out layouts. Also known as TKL keyboards, 80% keyboards may have room for additional buttons like media keys.

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